Massage for Extracellular Fluid Helping your Hip, Thigh and Knee
- Extracellular fluid is a part of your lymphatic system.
- If you are overweight, you may have excess fluid in your calves and ankles.
- This excess fluid must be drained out of your body for muscular mobility.
- Learn tips and exercises, including self-massage, that help push this fluid out of the body.
Hello from Northern Virginia, US,
Thanks to Sherry for asking and Coach Brian for responding about extra cellular fluid. For the first time in my life, I think, I have been suffering from leg cramps and find myself waking in the night feeling the need to flex calves – entire leg, actually. I have tried these massages this morning and they just feel …right as well as good. I am the heaviest I have ever been and have sedentary job. My ankles started swelling over the last couple of years. When I did sleep study test, no apnea but do have something called periodic limb movement disorder (not restless leg though that is sometimes related – this is more a palsy I believe). anyway, perhaps this is another topic, but I am hopeful this massage will help with cramping and just general relaxation. Thanks again; did not expect to see this in GM forum.
Gail
Hi Cynthia,
I’m not sure if this would help but I use a Magnesium spray – that is sprayed directly on the skin for my son’s leg cramps and for my restless legs. Most good health food stores and some chemists will sell Magnesium spray.
Brian also mentioned in the last Ask Brian show that pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of magnesium and as they are so easily transported a great snack to keep handy (not sure if you want to be snacking on pumpkin seeds during the night though). Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function.
Let us know how you go.
Den
I can get to a swimming pool, I don’t have one myself, but happy to try anything. I also have a rebounder but it’s often too painful for more than very gentle bouncing. Thanks for your help.
Dulcie
Dulcie the best and most gentle way for you to strengthen your body would be in water.
Simply walking forwards, backwards and sideways for lengths would be of great benefit.
Once comfortable we could incorporate some swimming/kicking but initially I’d start slow and see how your body responds.
Let me know how you get on.
All the best,
Brian
Thank you for your help I’m on holiday in Las Vegas at the moment and it’s 115 degrees so I wll go to the pool when I get home as often as possible.
Dulcie
Hi Brian, I am waiting for 2 total knee replacements, what exercise can I do to build up strength and keep as fit as possible until my operations one this year and the other next year.
Walking on the flat is OK for short distances ( up to 15 minutes ) but impact of any sort or kneeling is too painful.
Thanks for this massage which has helped me be a bit more comfortable.
Dulcie
Hi Dulcie,
do you have access to a pool? Water work would be great for you.
I will wait to hear back from you re availability or not, and we can go from there.
Thanks for connecting 🙂
Brian
Hi Brian, I am waiting for 2 total knee replacements, what exercise can I do to build up strength and keep as fit as possible until my operations one this year and the other next year.
Walking on the flat is OK for short distances ( up to 15 minutes ) but impact of any sort or kneeling is too painful.
Thanks for this massage which has helped me be a bit more comfortable.
Dulcie
Thank you very much for posting these instructions, and also explaining the compression sox. I did the massage and my legs feel a lot better. I agree with others that it was a happy treat to be introduced to Harry. This is some of the best joy in life. Bette
Harry is a legend, we love him to bits. Very spoilt as he is our third (and last). Glad these movements help Bette.
All the best,
Brian
Hi Brian, does laying with your feet up on a wall in order to use gravity help? Where does the fluid go? I have had swollen ankle for some time – I am probably 10-12 kilos over my ideal weight. Is that much overweight likely to be the cause?
Regards,
Chris
Sure Chris, elevating your legs in any position will help. Without seeing you its difficult to say, however having some extra weight on may certainly contribute to your condition.
Hi Brian, thanks for the calf massage, will use it often, suffer quite a bit with Extra Cellular Fluid, drinking enough liquids and have had kidneys checked so I now understand what the problem is and will use this exercise…..ty xx
No worries Desiree, thanks for your post
Hey Brian,
I have not a big exercise. When younger, yes now minimal and I’m thinking about changing that. I do go to yoga 1time a week. I think, a few weeks of Jon’s imagery of running through the water, with it splashing on your heels, took hold. We have a work out room at work, lots of stuff,several tread mills. Today I did a half hour of the wt. loss program. On the last hill, I did imagery of my own and had a dog at my heels. Not a nice one either. It last about2minutes and I got a stitch in my side and the dog won. Slowed down and finished the walk.
This was a great break. Now that I’ve started do you have a recommendation of a pattern for the week. Should I do the wt loss program, slow but sure and maybe afaster walk for awhile. Maybe the next time the dog won’t win.
Will continue with yoga, my arms were very weak when I started and I am growing in strength. I live in west Michigan on the lake. So we get a great deal of lake effect, in the winter. It would be wonderful to grow in mobility in the snowy times and hit the road in the spring. Sounds like a dream worth trying for.
Never mind saw you Skype with Jon. I’m going to have to watch it again to get the right timing. Once I figure it out. Would I be okay to alternate, like, yoga Monday. Tues,Thur,Sat, your punching air fast and W,F tread mill? It sounds sustainable. I’ll figure it out. In for the long haul and want the steadiness of the tortoise not the a short sprint like the hare.(race metaphor in your honor) Thanks, Sharon
HI Sharon,
thanks for taking the time to post.
I’m keen for you to move as much as you feel right doing. I like your idea of alternating, day on/off from the higher intensity work. Think this should work well. Long term is best approach, make movement something you look forward to is often the key. All the best,
Brian
Brian, I tried the run or get eaten today. I think I did it correctly. I went on the treadmill for 15 minutes and did the scenario 4x. I did the weight loss program so it went up and down at level 1. First 2 round imagined dogs, I was chased for 1/2 min. The next 2 round was really fun, I have been in India and were I go there are monkeys. You have turn and face them and they go away if not they chase you. So the last 2 rounds I was chased by monkeys. I was the only one in the room so I yell and yell “Oh no monkeys” and went for a pace of 2.7 to 5.4, the 3rd time, I had to put my feet on the sides when the 1/2 min was over because I could not slow it fast enough. Somehow, all worked together on the 4th time and was able to have enough breath to do the slow down and cooool down.
I think I was too ambitious when I first thought of a schedule. Is Yoga Monday. and Monkeys on Wed and Friday okay for now. Or is yoga not count. I could do Monkeys and yoga on Monday so we have 3 Run or get eaten in a week. IS that the goal? Thanks, I will get to watch your Skype again but not until Sat. No time.
Thanks for your programs. Looking forward to learning from you. Sharon
Many thanks Brian, I have found this method very useful. I have applied your technique to my leg, and found it not only useful in helping with stiffness and pain, but also has reduced swelling. I have had problems with swelling in particular with my left leg after a massive cellulitis last year. I already wear compression stockings every day which help enormously. And now with the added massage my leg is improving significantly.
Many thanks again for a great video, and love your fitness tips,
Cheers, Anita
ps Your little Assistant for this video is gorgeous.
Thanks Anita,
great to hear.
Yes sometimes the most simple technique can have the most benefit.
My little assistant ‘Harry’ is 3 tomorrow. He’s very excited, and so am I!
Thanks for your feedback, appreciate it.
Wishing you great health,
Coach Brian
Brian, thank-you for your video, I had my right knee replaced on the 8th July 2013… As you can imagine I’m in a lot of pain & I have since found out I have DVT of that knee & a Baker’s cyst in my left leg as well as varicous veins, & Artheratitis in both knees, I suppose what I’m asking you is this, should I be doing your exercises, or some other ones? I don’t want to make anything worse than it already is? Could you please help me??.. Thank-you Carol Ford…
No Carol massage is NOT appropriate for you. The risk with your DVT is too high unfortunately. You can still elevate your legs as I suggest, and do the movements I illustrated though.
I hope you are working with a physiotherapist, and if not I’d suggest you source one, as recovery from a knee replacement is a big deal (as you know) and I’d prefer you to be in the hands of a professional. Water work would be great for you when ready!
Keep in touch,
Coach Brian
This is great and feels good too. I occasionally have very swollen ankles and have instinctively massaged them. This video shows me how to do it more effectively. Thanks, Brian!
No problem Susan,
I’m so glad this video has been helpful.
Thanks for your feedback I appreciate it.
Wishing you great health,
Coach Brian
Thanks Brian, I found the massage and exercise suggestions useful.
Cheers
Thanks Richard.
Sorry for slow response but I’ve been on holidays.
Appreciate your time mate to post, and let me know if I can help further.
All the best,
Coach Brian
Thanks Brian. I am looking forward to it
Cheers
Hi Brian
I have done the massage while I was watching your video and I loved it I feel I am much lighter than before. thank you very much. Can I do this sort of massage for my arms as well. Could you please show me how? Is it like lower leg?
Kind regards
Sure Farideh,
thanks for your post.
Yes it is a similar technique to that of the leg.
How about soon I do a quick video showing you how?
Thanks for the suggestion.
Brian
I do have this issue of excess fluid in my ankles & lower legs, but
At this time I can’t reach my ankles to massage them. Any suggestions? Perhaps an electric massager?
Hi Kathy, I’d definitely be wearing compression stockings for a period every day, and slightly elevating the end of your bed. And I do like the idea of an electric massager, or I have heard good reports about the Circulation Booster too.
Thanks Kathy for your post and I hope you found this helpful in part. All the best, Brian
Thanks Brian. Always a pleasure and an education. By the way, your Son is an adorable entrance to the video and worth a repeat.
Thanks Catherine. I wasn’t sure Harry was appropriate but I figured I ‘know’ my GM friends and wanted to share our little man with you all. He’s a joy! Wishing you all the best of health,
Brian
i really liked the video. Great information. Looking forward to trying the massage. I think your little boy is too cute! Thanks, Pat
Thanks Pat. Let me know how you go with the massage, I’d be interested to know. I am a proud Dad and biased so you won’t get any argument about Harry. All the best to you Pat.
Brian